Method and apparatus for manipulating cigarettes or the like

ABSTRACT

A single file of cigarettes issuing from a cigarette making machine is converted into one or more rows of transversely aligned cigarettes which move sideways by propelling the cigarettes into successive axially parallel peripheral flutes of a revolving cylinder and by moving the cigarettes axially by suction during sidewise movement with the cylinder. The cigarettes are braked by suction on entry into the respective flutes and either continue to move in the direction in which they enter the flutes or are brought to a full stop prior to reversing the direction of lengthwise movement toward final axial positions.

United States Patent Rudszinat et a1.

[54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING CIGARETTES OR THE LIKE [72] Inventors: Willy Rudszinat, Dassendorf; Harry David, Hamburg, both of Germany 73 Assignee: Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG,

Hamburg, Germany [22] Filed: Dec. 23, 1969 [21] Appl. No.: 887,665

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Jan. 3, 1969 Great Britain ..491/69 [52] US. Cl ..l98/3l AA, 198/20 C [51] Int. Cl "B65g 47/26 [58] Field of Search ..302/2; 198/20 C, 31 AL, 25; 131/25 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,039,590 6/1962 Best ..198/31 AL 2,988,402 6/1961 Policansky ..302/2 [151 3,685,633 51 Aug. 22, 1972 1,824,414 9/1931 Stein ..198/20C 2,010,486 8/1935 Herrmann ..198/20C FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 942,303 11/1963 Great Britain ..198/3l AA 972,658 10/1964 Great Britain ..198/31AA Primary Examiner--Edward A. Sroka Attorney-Michael S. Striker ABSTRACT A single file of cigarettes issuing from a cigarette making machine is converted into one or more rows of transversely aligned cigarettes which move sideways by propelling the cigarettes into successive axially parallel peripheral flutes of a revolving cylinder and by moving the cigarettes axially by suction during sidewise movement with the cylinder. The cigarettes are braked by suction on entry into the respective flutes and either continue to move in the direction in which they enter the flutes or are brought to a full stop prior to reversing the direction of lengthwise movement toward final axial positions.

24 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDAUB22 1912 SHEET 3 OF 3 wwm mwm

INVENTORS ,4 HORNE) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING CIGARETTES OR THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manipulating cigarettes or analogous rodshaped articles, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for forming rows of rod-shaped articles wherein the articles are parallel with and are located side-by-side with reference to each other. Still more particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for converting a single file of rod-shaped articles which move lengthwise into one or more rows of articles which travel sideways.

US. Pat. No. 3,153,472 to Mason discloses an apparatus wherein the cigarettes are fed into successive flutes of a revolving drum and are subjected to the action of a rotary brush which advances them axially against stops so that the cigarettes form two parallel rows. A drawback of such apparatus is that the ends of cigarettes are likely to be deformed on impact against the stops. Moreover, friction between the cigarettes and the brush is sufficient to cause deformation or other damage to the wrappers.

US. Pat. No. 3,257,883 to Dearsley discloses a similar apparatus wherein the cigarettes which are fed lengthwise are engaged by several rollers which cause them to move sideways and thereupon axially. Such apparatus exhibits the same drawbacks as the aforementioned apparatus of Mason.

US. Pat. No. 3,039,590 to Best discloses a further apparatus wherein the cigarettes which enter the flutes of a revolving drum are braked by a leaf spring and are thereupon subjected to the action of jets of compressed air which propel themagainst stops. When the drum rotates at a high speed, the jets of air must be strong enough to rapidly accelerate the cigarettes whereby the ends of cigarettes strike against and are deformed on contact with the stops.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a method of changing the direction of movement of a series of successive cigarettes or analogous deformable rod-shaped articles in such a way that the articles are less likely to lose particulate material at the ends and/or to undergo deformation during changeover from axial toward sidewise movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method according to which the articles need not terminate their axial movement prior to reaching their final axial positions.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which can treat cigarettes or analogous deformable rod-shaped articles without any appreciable deformation or loss of particulate material and which can manipulate the entire output of a high-speed cigarette making or like machine at the same rate at which the machine discharges the articles.

An additional object of the invention is to provide the just outlined apparatus with a novel conveyor which is utilized to effect a change in the direction of movement of rod-shaped articles.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which can arrange cigarettes or analogous articles in one or more rows, which can manipulate relatively short or longer articles with equal facility, which can arrange such articles in plural rows at a desired distance from each other, and wherein the articles need not be oriented by moving parts such as brushes, rollers or the like.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein the articles are fully controlled during each stage of movement to final axial positions irrespective of whether such movement necessitates mere deceleration or complete stoppage of articles.

One feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a method of manipulating cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, filter rod sections, filter cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles. The method comprises the steps of placing each of a series of articles into a first axial position, evacuating air in a region adjacent to the thus placed article so that the article is attracted to or by such region, moving the articles sideways, and simultaneously moving the regions lengthwise of the respective articles so that the articles move lengthwise to second axial positions during sidewise movement.

The step of placing the articles into first axial positions preferably comprises moving the articles lengthwise and subjecting successive articles of the series to a preferably pneumatic braking action during such lengthwise movement so that the articles are decelerated during movement into the range of the respective evacuated regions. The speed of lengthwise movement of articles from first to second axial positions is preferably determined exclusively by the speed of movement of the respective evacuated regions which can move continuously or stepwise. In their second axial positions, the articles form at least one row of transversely aligned articles which move sideways.

If the articles are to form at least two rows of transversely aligned articles, the evacuated regions can be moved alternately in opposite directions so that alternate articles travel lengthwise in opposite directions during travel from first to second axial positions.

The extent of movement of evacuated regions lengthwise of the respective articles can be changed or adjusted to thereby change the second axial positions of such articles. This is desirable when the same apparatus is used to manipulate articles of two or more different lengths and/or to arrange the articles in several transversely aligned rows at a variable distance from each other.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved apparatus itself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 3 is an enlarged developed view of the rotary portion of the receiving conveyor in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a developed view of the rotary portion in a modified receiving conveyor, further showing certain details of the stationary portion;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the stationary portion in a further receiving conveyor; and

FIG. 6 is a developed view of the stationary portion of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an apparatus for manipulating cigarettes Z which issue from a cigarette rod making machine. The latter comprises a feeding device 1 including a trough-shaped guide 3 wherein the cigarettes Z move lengthwise in a single file past an accelerating wheel 4 having a projection or lobe 4a which propels the cigarettes into successive receiving means or flutes 7 of a drum-shaped receiving conveyor 2. The feeding device 1 is located downstream of a customary cutoff (not shown) which severs a continuous cigarette rod into sections of unit length or multiple unit length whereby each such section constitutes one of the cigarettes Z. The cutoff is operated in synchronism with the accelerating wheel 4.

The conveyor 2 comprises a rotary cylindrical portion 6 (hereinafter called cylinder) which is provided with the aforementioned flutes 7 and a portion of which is surrounded by a sealing member here shown as a preferably transparent shroud 8. The shroud 8 is stationary and is provided with radial extensions or arms 9 secured to a stationary cylindrical second portion or core 17 of the conveyor 2. The exact construction of the core 17 is shown in FIG. 2a. The shroud 8 is formed with apertures (not shown) which admit limited amounts of air into the flutes 7.

The flutes 7 are machined into the peripheral surface of the cylinder 6 and are parallel to the axis of the core 17. As shown in FIG. 3, the flutes 7 include alternating flutes 7a and 7b each communicating with a row of centrally located cigarette braking orifices or ports 11 machined into the cylinder 6. The flutes 7a further communicate with a row of cigarette moving orifices or ports 11a located to the left of the respective braking ports 11, and the flutes 7b further communicate with a row of cigarette moving orifices or ports 11b located to the right of the respective braking ports 11, as viewed in FIG. 3. All of the ports 11 are aligned with each other as considered in circumferential direction of the cylinder 6. The periphery of the core 17 is provided with a centrally located cigarette braking cutout 32 which communicates with two cigarette moving channels 12a, 12b. The periphery of the core 17 is further provided with two holding channels 13a, 13b. An axially extending bore 33 of the core 17 respectively communicates with the cutout 32, channels 12a, 12b and channels 13a, 13b by way of radial bores 34, 36, 39, 37 and 38 (best shown in FIG. 2a). The core 17 is fixed to a stationary sleeve 16 which is mounted on an upright frame member 14 and is connected with the intake end of a suction conduit 18 which communicates with the axial bore 33. The discharge end of the conduit 18 is connected to a suction generating or air evacuating device 19, e.g., a blower or the like.

That end of the cylinder 6 which is concealed in FIG. 1 is closed by an end wall and is connected to a drive including a shaft 22, a gear 23 on the shaft 22 and an endless toothed belt or chain 31 which is trained over the gear 23. The shaft 22 further carries a pulley 24 which drives a second pulley 26 through the intermediary of a belt 27. The pulley 26 is connected to a shaft 29 which is mounted in the frame member 14 and in a bearing 28 and drives a roller 29a for an endless belt 21 which forms part of a take-off conveyor serving to accept arrayed cigarettes Z from the conveyor 2. The directions in which the cylinder 6 and shaft 29 rotate are indicated in FIG. I by arrows. The upper stretch of the belt 21 can transport the cigarettes Z to a filter cigarette machine, not shown.

Referring again to FIGS. 2a and 3, it will be seen that the channels 12a, 12b comprise inclined portions which extend from the cutout 32 toward the respective axial ends of the core 17 at an oblique angle to the flutes 7a, 7b and end portions which extend circumferentially of the core and are parallel with and respectively adjacent to the holding channels 13a, 13b.

The operation:

The cutoff severs the cigarette rod to form a single file of cigarettes Z which move past the accelerating wheel 4 and are propelled by the lobe 4a to enter successive flutes 7a, 7b at a first transfer station A shown in FIG. 3. The cylinder 6 is rotated at a constant speed by the chain 31 which also drives the roller 29a for the belt 21. The accelerating wheel 4 separates the ends of successive cigarettes Z from each other and its rotational speed is selected in such a way that each foremost cigarette Z enters the adjacent open end of a flute 7a or 7b. The braking cutout 32 is in line with the transfer station A so that the braking ports 11 of that flute which is in registry with the trough 3 evacuate air from such flute. The evacuated air flows through the radial bore 34 and axial bore 33 of the core 17 and into the suction conduit 18. The width of the cutout 32 (as considered in the circumferential direction of the core 17) is selected in such a way that this cutout communicates with the braking ports 11 of three adjacent flutes (including two flutes 7a and one flute 7b or vice versa). The purpose of ports 11 is to produce a braking or decelerating action, i.e., to reduce the speed of cigarettes Z which are propelled by the lobe 4a of the accelerating wheel 4. As the cylinder 6 continues to rotate, its braking ports 11 move away from registry with the cutout 32 whereby the braking action of air which is drawn into the cutout 32 is terminated when the respective cigarette Z assumes a predetermined first axial position.

The cigarette Z which enters a flute 7a is decelerated but does not come to a full stop, i.e., it advances lengthwise toward and overlies the moving ports 11a whereby the air which is drawn through successive ports 11a and into the inclined portion of the channel 120 causes the cigarette to remain in motion or even accelerates such cigarette whereby the latter moves toward the left-hand axial end of the cylinder 6 and comes to rest in a predetermined second axial position when at least one of the corresponding ports Ila communicates with the straight end portion of the channel 12a and at least one of the corresponding ports communicates with the holding channel 13a. Thus, the

cigarette which enters a flute 7a is decelerated while the corresponding braking ports 11 communicate with the cutout 32 and is thereupon accelerated or at least caused to remain in motion while the corresponding ports lla communicate with the inclined part of the channel l2a..The cigarette is brought to a stop in an accurately determined second axial position when the corresponding ports 11a communicate with the end portion of the channel 12a and with the holding channel 13a.

A cigarette Z which enters a flute 7b is braked while the corresponding braking ports 11 communicate with the cutout 32 and comes to a full stop in a first axial position not later than when the corresponding moving ports 11b begin to communicate with the inclined portion of the channel 12b. Furthermore, suction in the right-hand end portion of the corresponding flute 7b causes such cigarette to reverse the direction of its movement and to travel lengthwise toward the righthand axial end of the cylinder 6 until at least one of the ports 11b begins to communicate with the straight end portion of the channel 12b. At such time, at least one of the ports 11b also communicates with the holding channel 13b. This causes the cigarette to come to a full stop in a predetermined second axial position so that the cylinder 6 then transports two rows of transversely aligned cigarettes which travel sideways and descend onto the upper stretch of the belt 21 to be advanced to a further processing station. During sidewise travel with the cylinder 6, the cigarettes Z of one row are staggered with reference to the cigarettes of the other row, as considered in the circumferential direction of the conveyor 2. The shroud 8 sealsthe major parts of the flutes 7a, 7b from the atmosphere. This shroud extends from a point at least slightly upstream of the first transfer station A and close to a second transfer station E where the cigarettes Z are permitted to leave the flutes 7a, 7b, i.e., close to the downstream ends of the channels 12a, 12b and 13a, 13b. The feature that the channels 12a, 12b have oblique portions which are inclined from the cutout 32 toward the respective axial ends of the cylinder 6 causes evacuated regions of successive flutes 7a, 7b to travel lengthwiseof the flutes (namely, in a direction to the left in flutes 7a and in a direction to the right in flutes 7b, as considered in FIG. 3) whereby the cigarettes Z entering the flutes 7a are kept in motion in the same direction in which they are propelled into the flutes 7a and the cigarettes which enter the flutes 7b are brought to a full stop prior to reversing the direction of their movement toward the final or second axial positions in which they remain until caused to descend onto the belt 21. Air which is drawn through those moving ports 11a and 11b which respectively communicate with the inclined or oblique portions of the channels 12a, 12b imparts to the corresponding cigarettes Z a series of impulses but these cigarettes move continuously because the cylinder 6 is rotated at a high speed. The length and inclination of the oblique portions of channels 12a, 12b determine the final or second axial positions of cigarettes in the flutes 7a, and 7b.

' It is clear that the holding channels 13a, 13b constitute an optional feature of the core 17. The width of the straight end portions of the moving channels 12a, 12b and the suction in such end portions can be readily selected in such a way that the cigarettes Z are arrested and held in predetermined second axial positions even if the holding channels 13a, 13b are omitted or sealed from the suction conduit 18.

During sidewise travel of flutes 7a, 7b from the station A toward the station B, the evacuated regions of the flutes (where the ports 11a, 11b respectively com municate with the inclined portions of the channels 12a, 12b) travel lengthwise of the corresponding flutes in stepwise fashion whereby the suction in such flutes causes the cigarettes Z to move lengthwise during sidewise movement with the cylinder 6. Such lengthwise movement of the cigarettes is automatically terminated when the ports 11a, 11b respectively begin to communicate with the holding channels 13a. 13b. i.e., when the cigarettes reach their second axial positions.

An advantage of the pneumatic braking means including the ports 11, the cutout 32 and its connection with the evacuating means 19 is that the moving means including the core 17 and the ports 11a, 11b is capable of determining the second axial positions of cigarettes Z with a high degree of precision even if the cylinder 6 is rotated at a high speed, i.e., even if the lobe 4a of the accelerating wheel 4 must rapidly propel the cigarettes from the trough 3 into the respective flutes in order to insure that the cigarettes enter the flutes without undergoing deformation and that each successive flute receives a cigarette during travel past the station A. Modern high-speed cigarette making machines can turn out more than 3,000 cigarettes per minute. The braking action of air streams which enter the cutout 32 by way of the ports 11 suffices to insure requisite deceleration ,of cigarettes before the cigarettes move into the range of the respective evacuated regions in the flutes to continue their movement toward final positions (flutes 7a) or to reverse the direction of their movement (flutes 7b) and to thereupon advance lengthwise toward second axial positions. It was found that the apparatus of FIG. 1 can assemble cigarettes in rows wherein'each cigarette is in accurate transverse alignment with each other cigarette of the respective row to thus insure that no further axial adjustments are needed prior to subjecting the cigarettes of such rows to a further treatment. As a rule, the cigarettes will be caused to form two rows prior to entry into a filter cigarette machine which inserts a filter plug of double unit length between two axially spaced cigarettes and thereupon unites the plug with the respective cigarettes to form a filter cigarette of double unit length.

If the cigarettes are to form a single row, the apparatus of FIG. 1 is modified to employ a receiving conveyor wherein the cylinder includes only the flutes 7a or the flutes 7b and the core is fonned with a single moving channel 12a or 12b. Such apparatus can be employed to deliver a single row of cigarettes to a station where the cigarettes are stored in customary trays or analogous receptacles.

FIG. 2b illustrates the core 1 17 of a modified receiving conveyor. All such parts which are clearly analogous to or identical with the corresponding parts of the core 17 are denoted by similar reference characters plus 100. The difference is that the cutout 132 and the channels 112a, [12b and 113a, ll3b are defined by walls 149 which extend outwardly from the periphery of the core 117. The latter further comprises two ununkn 4:1

endless walls or flanges 147, 148 which extend radially of the core to the same extent as the walls 149 and whose diameters equal the internal diameter of the cylinder 6 (not shown in FIG. 2b). The walls 149 further define a centrally located compartment D1 which extends circumferentially of the core and is sealed from the cutout 132 and from the channels 1120, 112b, 113a, 113b, and two additional compartments D2, D3 which are respectively adjacent to the flanges 147, 148. The core 117 is further provided with an axially parallel bore 142 which communicates with the atmosphere, as at 141, and with the compartments D1, D2, D3 by way of bores 144, 146, 143. Thus, all ports 11, 11a or 11b which do not communicate with the cutout 132 or with one of the channels 112a, 1 12b, 1 13a. 113b are in communication with one of the compartments D1, D2, D3 and hence with the atmosphere. The air pressure in the compartments D1, D2, D3 always exceeds the pressure in the cutout 132 and channels 112a, 112b, 113a, 11317. The outer sides of the eutout, channels and compartments of the core 117 are sealed by the internal surface of the cylinder 6 when the latter is properly assembled with the core.

The operation of the receiving conveyor which embodies the core 117 of FIG. 2b is clearly analogous to that of the receiving conveyor 2. The main difference is that the regions where the suction prevails are more accurately defined because the ports 11, 11a and 11b are permitted to communicate with the atmosphere as soon as they move away from registry with the cutout 132 or with one of the channels 112a, 1 12b, 1 13a, l13b.

FIG. 4 illustrates the arrangement of article-receiving means or flutes and ports in a modified cylinder 206 and the arrangement of cutouts and channels in a modified core. In this embodiment of the receiving conveyor, each of the cigarette moving ports 211a, 2111; in the flutes 207a, 207b is an elongated slot which communicates with one of the cigarette braking cutouts 232, 251 during travel past the first transfer station A. The cutout 232 communicates with a cigarette moving channel 2120 which comprises an inclined portion and a straight end portion. The latter is parallel with a holding channel 213a. The cutout 251 communicates with a second moving channel 212b which includes an inclined portion and a straight end portion extending in parallelism with a holding channel 213b. However, the inclined portions of the channels 212a, 212b do not diverge in a direction away from the station A but extend in the same direction so that the cigarettes which enter a flute 207b need not be brought to a full stop but merely continue to move toward their respective final or second axial positions.

A cigarette which enters a flute 207a at the first transfer station A is propelled into that portion of the flute which communicates with the cutout 232 by way of the respective moving port 211a. Suction in the eutout 232 effects a gradual deceleration of the cigarette and such deceleration is terminated when the port 211a moves past the cutout 232. The port 211a then begins to communicate with the inclined portion of the channel 212a whereby the suction in that region of the flute 207a which communicates with the channel 212a effects lengthwise movement of the cigarette toward its final or second axial position which is reached when the port 211a begins to communicate with the straight end portion of the channel 212a and with the holding channel 213a. The manner in which a cigarette which enters a flute 207b undergoes a decelerating action and is thereupon moved lengthwise in the direction of its original movement while the corresponding port 211 communicates with the inclined portion of the channel 212b is the same.

An important advantage of the apparatus which embodies the structure of FIG. 4 is that each cigarette which enters a flute 207a or 207b continues to move until it reaches its second axial position. Therefore, the cigarettes are less likely to lose tobacco particles at the ends. An advantage of the cylinder 6 is that its axial length is less than that of the cylinder 206. When the cigarettes in the flutes 207a, 207b come to a standstill in their second axial positions, they form two rows which extend circumferentially of the cylinder 206 and are thereupon accepted by a takeoff conveyor at a second transfer station B.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a portion of a further upparatus whose receiving conveyor includes an adjustable core 317. The purpose of the adjustability of this core is to select the second axial positions of cigarettes in the flutes of the associated cylinder (not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6). Thus, the core 317 can be used to manipulate relatively short cigarettes or cigarettes of greater length as well as to form two rows of cigarettes wherein the cigarettes of one row are located at a desired (variable) distance from the cigarettes of the other row. All such parts of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 which are clearly analogous to or identical with the parts of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by similar reference characters plus 300.

The core 317 comprises a fixedly mounted cylindrical central section 356 which is rigid with the sleeve 316 and two angularly movable sleeve-like sections 357a, 3571) which are coaxial with and can turn relative to the central section 356. The right-hand section 357b is shown only in the developed view of FIG. 6. The sections 357a, 357b are provided with internal gears 358a which mate with pinions 359a on a horizontal shaft 361 connected to an indexible wheel 362. The shaft 361 is joumalled in the frame member 314 and the wheel 362 is provided with several radially inwardly extending holes 373 each of which can receive the tip of a rod or a like tool serving to facilitate angular displacement of the wheel. A detent structure for the wheel 362 includes a plunger 363 which is mounted in a holder 366 on the frame member 314 and is biased upwardly by a helical spring 364. The periphery of the wheel 362 is provided with four equidistant notches 367 each of which can receive the conical tip of the plunger 363. When the plunger 363 extends into one of the notches 367, the sections 357a, 357b of the core 317 are held in one of four predetermined angular positions with reference to the central section 356.

The periphery of the central section 356 is formed with walls 349 defining a braking cutout 332 and two moving channels 312a, 312b. The section 356 is further formed with a compartment 368 which is separated from the channels 312a, 312b by the walls 349 and extends in part all the way to the adjacent end portions of the sections 357a, 357b.

The sections 357a, 357b are respectively provided with inclined auxiliary moving channels or grooves 369a, 371a, 372a and 369b, 37lb, 372b which can be moved into registry with the channels 312a, 312k. Each of those grooves in the sections .3570, 357b which do not communicate with the channel 312a or 312b is in communication with the compartment 368.

It will be noted that the grooves 371a and 37lb are respectively longer than the grooves 369a, 369b but shorter than the grooves 372a, 372b. The depth of these grooves is preferably the same as that of the channels 312a, 312b.

The core 317 of FIGS. and 6 is designed to cooperate with the cylinder 6 of FIG. 3 or with a similar cylinder. The manner in which the feeding device of a cigarette making machine delivers cigarettes into successive flutes 7a, 7b of the cylinder 6 is the same as described in connection with FIG. 1. If the operators wish to form two rows of cigarettes which are closely adjacent to each other, the wheel 362 is indexed to assume a position in which the sections 357a, 357b are held in the angular positions shown in FIG. 6, i.e., the channels 312a, 312b are respectively sealed from the grooves in the sections 357a, 357b. Consequently, the lengthwise movement of cigarettes to their second axial positions is terminated as soon as the respective ports 1 1a, 11b move beyond the outermost ends of the channels 312a, 3121;. The illustrated angular positions of the sections 357a, 357b will be selected if the receiving conveyor including the core 317 is to manipulate relatively short cigarettes. If the cigarettes are somewhat longer or if the short cigarettes are to be moved further apart, the operator indexes the wheel 362 to place the shortest grooves 369a, 36% in communication with the outer ends of the channels 312a, 31%. In an analogous manner, the operator can index the wheel 362 to connect the channels 312a, 3l2b with the grooves 371a, 37lb or 372a, 372b, depending on the length of cigarettes and on the desired distance between the two rows which move toward the take-off conveyor. The purpose of the compartment 368 is to insure that the grooves in the sections 357a, 357b are connected to a suction generating device only when in communication with the channels 312 a, 3l2b. To this end, the compartment 368 communicates with the atmosphere by way of one or more ducts 368a. It is clear that the number of grooves in the sections 357a, 357b may be less than three or four or more, depending on the anticipated use of the receiving conveyor. It is further clear that the core 317 can be provided withholding channels to insure retention of cigarettes in second axial positions during the final stage of travel toward the second transfer station. It is equally possible to utilize the shroud (not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) as a means for holding the cigarettes against ejection from the flutes during travel from the first toward the second transfer station.

In each position of the sections 3570, 357b, the conveyor including the core 317 of FIGS. 5 and 6 is capable of assembling two rows of cigarettes at such a distance from each other that the deviations of discrete cigarettes from their optimum final positions remain within a very narrow range-The apparatus is capable of assembling two rows with such a'degree of accuracy that the distance between the two rows fluctuates within a range of not more than a few millimeters which is particularly desirable when the articles are fed into a filter cigarette machine.

Since the cylinder is free to rotate on the core and be removed as soon as it is disconnected from the drive means, the cutouts, channels, bores and compartments of the core are readily accessible to facilitate periodic inspection for cleaning.

The aforementioned apertures in the shroud 8 are provided to prevent the generation or to at least reduce the influence of localized air currents of different strength which tend to develop in flutes in response to rapid penetration of cigarettes at the station A.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features which, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of our contribution to the art and, therefore, such adapta' tions should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

I. A method of manipulating cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles, comprising the steps of placing each of a series of articles into a first axial position; evacuating air in a region adjacent to one end of the thus placed article so that the article is attracted to such region; moving the articles sideways; and simultaneously moving said regions lengthwise of the respective articles so that the articles move lengthwise to second axial positions during said sidewise movement thereof.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of placing articles into said first axial positions comprises moving the articles lengthwise and subjecting successive articles of said series to a braking action during such lengthwise movement thereof.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the speed of lengthwise movement of articles to said second positions is determined substantially exclusively by the speed of movement of the respective regions.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the articles in said second axial positions thereof form at least one row of transversely aligned articles which move sideways.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said re gions are moved continuously.

6. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said regions are moved stepwise.

7. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of changing the extent of movement of said regions lengthwise of the respective articles to thereby change the second axial positions of such articles.

8. A method of manipulating cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles, comprising the steps of placing each of a series of articles into a first axial position; evacuating air in a region adjacent to the thus placed article so that the article is attracted to such region; moving the articles sideways; and simultaniously moving said regions lengthwise of the respective articles altemately in opposite directions so that alternate artimeans and drive means for moving said receiving means sideways along an endless path past a first and a second station; feeding means for introducing articles into successive receiving means at said first station so that each article assumes a first axial position; evacuating means for evacuating air from predetermined regions of successive receiving means, each of said predetermined regions being adjacent to one end of the respective article in said first position thereof to attract such articleand said conveyor further having moving means for moving said regions lengthwise of the respective receiving means during travel from said first toward said second station to thereby effect lengthwise movement of the respective articles to second axial positions; and mens for accepting articles from said receiving means at said second station.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, further comprising means for adjusting portions of said moving means to thereby change said second axial positions of the articles.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said receiving conveyor comprises a rotary hollow cylindrical portion having axially parallel peripheral flutes which constitute said receiving means and further comprising sealing means for partially sealing said flutes from the atmosphere during travel from said first toward said second station.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said moving means comprises a second portion surrounded by said cylindrical portion and having a plurality of channels each connected to said evacuating means and each extending at least in part at an oblique angle with reference to said flutes, and port means provided in said cylindrical portion to establish communication between each of said flutes and a selected channel during travel of flutes from said first toward said second station, said regions being located at positions where said flutes communicate with the respective channels.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said moving means comprises a second portion surrounded by said cylindrical portion and having at least one channel connected to said evacuating means and extending at least in part at an oblique angle with reference to said flutes, and port means provided in said cylindrical portion to establish communication between said channel and said flutes during travel of the respective flutes from said first toward said second station, said regions being located at positions where said flutes communicate with said channel.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said second portion is a stationary cylindrical core and said channel is provided in the periphery of said core.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said second portion comprises wall means defining said channel and sealingly engaging said cylindrical portion, said second portion defining compartments flanking said channel and containing air at a pressure exceeding the pressure in said channel.

16. Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein each of said port means includes a row of discrete orifices extending lengthwise of the respective flute.

17. Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein each of said port means includes an elongated slot extending lenghwise of the respective flute.

. Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said sealing means is apertured to pennit limited inflow of atmospheric air into said flutes.

19. Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said second portion comprises a first section provided with said channel and a second section having at least one auxiliary channel extending at an oblique angle to said flutes, and further comprising means for moving said second section with reference to said first section to thereby place said auxiliary channel into and out of communication with said first mentioned channel, said port means communicating with said auxiliary channel during movement from said first toward said second station.

20. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said feeding means includes means for moving the articles lengthwise into the respective receiving means.

21. Apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said receiving conveyor further comprises pneumatic braking means for braking the articles during lengthwise movement toward said first axial positions thereof.

22. Apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein said braking means is connected to said evacuating means.

23. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said receiving conveyor further comprises holding means for holding the articles in said second positions during sidewise movement toward said second station.

24. Apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein said receiving conveyor includes a rotary cylindrical portion having axially parallel peripheral flutes constituting said receiving means and said holding means comprises means connected to said evacuating means and arranged to hold the articles by suction in second axial positions thereof. 

1. A method of manipulating cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles, comprising the steps of placing each of a series of articles into a first axial position; evacuating air in a region adjacent to one end of the thus placed article so that the article is attracted to such region; moving the articles sideways; and simultaneously moving said regions lengthwise of the respective articles so that the articles move lengthwise to second axial positions during said sidewise movement thereof.
 2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of placing articles into said first axial positions comprises moving the articles lengthwise and subjecting successive articles of said series to a braking action during such lengthwise movement thereof.
 3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the speed of lengthwise movement of articles to said second positions is determined substantially exclusively by the speed of movement of the respective regions.
 4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the articles in said second axial positions thereof form at least one row of transversely aligned articles which move sideways.
 5. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said regions are moved continuously.
 6. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said regions are moved stepwise.
 7. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of changing the extent of movement of said regions lengthwise of the respective articles to thereby change the second axial positions of such articles.
 8. A method of manipulating cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles, comprising the steps of placing each of a series of articles into a first axial position; evacuating air in a region adjacent to the thus placed article so that the article is attracted to such region; moving the articles sideways; and simultaniously moving said regions lengthwise of thE respective articles alternately in opposite directions so that alternate articles travel lengthwise in opposite directions to second axial positions during said sidewise movements thereof.
 9. Apparatus for manipulating cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles, comprising a receiving conveyor having a plurality or parallel article-receiving means and drive means for moving said receiving means sideways along an endless path past a first and a second station; feeding means for introducing articles into successive receiving means at said first station so that each article assumes a first axial position; evacuating means for evacuating air from predetermined regions of successive receiving means, each of said predetermined regions being adjacent to one end of the respective article in said first position thereof to attract such article and said conveyor further having moving means for moving said regions lengthwise of the respective receiving means during travel from said first toward said second station to thereby effect lengthwise movement of the respective articles to second axial positions; and mens for accepting articles from said receiving means at said second station.
 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, further comprising means for adjusting portions of said moving means to thereby change said second axial positions of the articles.
 11. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said receiving conveyor comprises a rotary hollow cylindrical portion having axially parallel peripheral flutes which constitute said receiving means and further comprising sealing means for partially sealing said flutes from the atmosphere during travel from said first toward said second station.
 12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said moving means comprises a second portion surrounded by said cylindrical portion and having a plurality of channels each connected to said evacuating means and each extending at least in part at an oblique angle with reference to said flutes, and port means provided in said cylindrical portion to establish communication between each of said flutes and a selected channel during travel of flutes from said first toward said second station, said regions being located at positions where said flutes communicate with the respective channels.
 13. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said moving means comprises a second portion surrounded by said cylindrical portion and having at least one channel connected to said evacuating means and extending at least in part at an oblique angle with reference to said flutes, and port means provided in said cylindrical portion to establish communication between said channel and said flutes during travel of the respective flutes from said first toward said second station, said regions being located at positions where said flutes communicate with said channel.
 14. Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said second portion is a stationary cylindrical core and said channel is provided in the periphery of said core.
 15. Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said second portion comprises wall means defining said channel and sealingly engaging said cylindrical portion, said second portion defining compartments flanking said channel and containing air at a pressure exceeding the pressure in said channel.
 16. Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein each of said port means includes a row of discrete orifices extending lengthwise of the respective flute.
 17. Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein each of said port means includes an elongated slot extending lengthwise of the respective flute.
 18. Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said sealing means is apertured to permit limited inflow of atmospheric air into said flutes.
 19. Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said second portion comprises a first section provided with said channel and a second section having at least one auxiliary channel extending at an oblique angle to said flutes, and further comprIsing means for moving said second section with reference to said first section to thereby place said auxiliary channel into and out of communication with said first mentioned channel, said port means communicating with said auxiliary channel during movement from said first toward said second station.
 20. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said feeding means includes means for moving the articles lengthwise into the respective receiving means.
 21. Apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said receiving conveyor further comprises pneumatic braking means for braking the articles during lengthwise movement toward said first axial positions thereof.
 22. Apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein said braking means is connected to said evacuating means.
 23. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said receiving conveyor further comprises holding means for holding the articles in said second positions during sidewise movement toward said second station.
 24. Apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein said receiving conveyor includes a rotary cylindrical portion having axially parallel peripheral flutes constituting said receiving means and said holding means comprises means connected to said evacuating means and arranged to hold the articles by suction in second axial positions thereof. 